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Prayer for the day:
Lord of both the sunrise and sunset, we seek you in the nighttime that we may come to see the day. In our prayers we seek to understand your ways, longing to know how we might live more faithfully from day to day. As we pray ourselves into your light we know our decisions may not make sense to those around us. Grant us courage to do what others say cannot be done. Give us your Spirit that we might see your path before us. Amen.

Question for reflection:
As you seek to discern God’s work around you, how do you pray?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Pressin print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Prayer for the day:
Maker of life, help me to see your fingerprints all over my world today. When I see light or darkness, remind me of the ways you separate the light from the darkness. When I see earth, and water, and creatures, let me remember your creative genius. When I encounter my sisters and brothers today, nudge me towards actions which deepen relationships. In you and your creation I will find the source of all my joy – alleluia! Amen.

Question for reflection:
How is God calling you to new life this advent season?

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotionalwritten by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Pressin print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for reflection:
Why at times is it so hard to recognize Jesus? What does it sound like to you when Jesus says your name? How do you respond?

Prayer for the day:
Heighten all my senses, God, so that I might know Jesus is near. I am straining to hear my name. Surprise me with your familiarity. Turn my mourning into rejoicing. Send me into the world, proclaiming like Mary, “I have seen the Lord!” Amen.

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available fromBrethren Pressin print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for reflection:
How has God surprised you lately? How has that surprise changed you?

Prayer for the day:
Surprising God, turn my casual regard for daily living toward alert expectation that things can and will be different. Startle me out of my complacency and make me attentive to sharper ways of seeing and deeper ways of understanding. In the name of Christ, the power and wisdom of God, I pray. Amen.

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for reflection:
“The Jesus in Me Loves the Jesus in You” is often sung at Church of the Brethren intercultural gatherings. As we sing, we move from person to person, holding their hands as we acknowledge that we see Jesus in each other. It is energizing to connect with each other and Jesus in this way. How do you open your heart to see Jesus in others? Can you hear and receive what they have to share?

Prayer for the day:
Lord, help me to be open to hearing and seeing Jesus in others. Help me, also, to be Jesus’ compassionate presence to others.

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Dana’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for reflection:
How might we focus less on what we thinkothers see when they look at us, and more on how we make others feel if we truly let the Spirit renew our hearts?

Prayer for the day:
“Open my eyes, that I may see….glimpses of truth thou hast for me.” Patient Lord, let me see all that is in your creation through your eyes, and live accordingly.

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for reflection:Assume for a moment that you saw evidence of God’s presence in your life today / yesterday, but also that you missed recognizing it. Think back over the events of your day. When did you feel close to God? When did you feel far from God? Where might God have been working in you / your life even if that work seems unfinished as you reflect on it?

Prayer for the day:As you breathe in: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.” As you breathe out: “I want to see you!” Repeat.

~ Becky Ullom Naugle, Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten devotional, The Practice of Paying Attention, written by Dana Cassell, Minister of Youth Formation at the Manassas Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for Reflection:
Where are you looking for God’s handiwork today? What are you seeing?

Prayer for the day:
God, our worship may not be as persistent as Anna’s, but today is one of the days that we set aside for prayer and praise. Through our worship give us a clearness to see and know your presence. Compel us toward the expectant joy of the Messiah’s coming, and ready us to share this joy with the world. Come, child of Nazareth. Amen.

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotionalwritten by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for Reflection:
What are the rituals in your family to ensure that a child is raised up in the ways of God?

Prayer for the day:
Father God, we know you see each of us as your daughter or son. We pray that you give us eyes to see each other that way, too.
Amen

~ Donna Kline, Director of Denominational Deacon Ministry

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Question for Reflection:
There is rhythm in the reading of the genealogy of Jesus, as well as symmetry in the numbers: fourteen plus fourteen plus fourteen generations in all. The God-created generational rhythm might go unnoticed except for Matthew’s pointing it out for us in verse 17. Preacher Alyce McKenzie calls us to cultivate “a knack for noticing” how God is at work in, around, and through us. What are you being called to notice this Advent season? What do you need to be paying attention to?

Prayer for the day:
God of the generations, in this time of waiting, grant us a “knack for noticing” your presence in our midst. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen

~ Kim Ebersole, Director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotionalwritten by Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor of Manchester University. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats) Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Walt’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.